EP1795129A2 - Apparatus and method for displaying an ultrasound image - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for displaying an ultrasound image Download PDFInfo
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- EP1795129A2 EP1795129A2 EP06025081A EP06025081A EP1795129A2 EP 1795129 A2 EP1795129 A2 EP 1795129A2 EP 06025081 A EP06025081 A EP 06025081A EP 06025081 A EP06025081 A EP 06025081A EP 1795129 A2 EP1795129 A2 EP 1795129A2
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- Prior art keywords
- dimensional ultrasound
- ultrasound image
- images
- dimensional
- marker
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
- A61B8/461—Displaying means of special interest
- A61B8/465—Displaying means of special interest adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
- A61B8/483—Diagnostic techniques involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
- G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
- G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
- G01S15/8993—Three dimensional imaging systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
- G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
- G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
- G01S7/52053—Display arrangements
- G01S7/52057—Cathode ray tube displays
- G01S7/52073—Production of cursor lines, markers or indicia by electronic means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
- A61B8/486—Diagnostic techniques involving arbitrary m-mode
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/5215—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data
- A61B8/523—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data for generating planar views from image data in a user selectable plane not corresponding to the acquisition plane
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to ultrasound image processing, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed based on 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- An ultrasound diagnostic system has become an important and popular diagnostic tool since it has a wide range of applications. Specifically, due to its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, the ultrasound diagnostic system has been extensively used in the medical profession. Modern high-performance ultrasound diagnostic systems and techniques are commonly used to produce two or three-dimensional diagnostic images of internal features of an object (e.g., human organs).
- an object e.g., human organs
- the ultrasound diagnostic system generally uses a wide bandwidth transducer to transmit and receive ultrasound signals.
- the ultrasound diagnostic system forms images of human internal tissues by electrically exciting an acoustic transducer element or an array of acoustic transducer elements to generate ultrasound signals that travel into the body.
- the ultrasound signals produce ultrasound echo signals since they are reflected from body tissues, which appear as discontinuities to the propagating ultrasound signals.
- Various ultrasound echo signals return to the transducer element and are converted into electrical signals, which are amplified and processed to produce ultrasound data for an image of the tissues.
- the ultrasound diagnostic system is very important in the medical field since it provides physicians with real-time and high-resolution images of human internal features without the need for invasive observation techniques such as surgery.
- the ultrasound diagnostic system obtains raw 3D data (e.g., data on a coordinate system (x, y, z)) through a 3D probe regardless of acquisition time by stacking frames over one another at a uniform time interval to form consecutive frames. It then processes the consecutive frames using a 3D rendering technique, thereby producing 3D static images.
- raw 3D data e.g., data on a coordinate system (x, y, z)
- 3D rendering technique e.g., a 3D rendering technique
- the static 3D images are widely used.
- the static 3D images are not useful in observing a moving target object in real time, such as a fetus in the uterus.
- a live 3D imaging method and apparatus for providing a live 3D moving image have been developed.
- a 3-dimensional probe for forming a live 3D ultrasound image is disadvantageous since it is very complex and expensive.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying an ultrasound image in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed by superposing the predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a flow direction marker and a selection marker on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image and a 2-dimensional ultrasound image selected by a selection marker
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of indicating a rotation axis and a time guide line on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of various cutting markers set on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cutting marker set on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional plane formed along a cutting marker.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasound diagnostic device constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes a probe 110, a 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 120, a 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130, a display unit 140 and a marker setting unit 150.
- the probe 110 transmits ultrasound signals to a target object and receives ultrasound echo signals.
- the probe 110 may be any probe capable of acquiring a 2-dimensional ultrasound image.
- the 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 120 forms a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having serial numbers based on the ultrasound echo signals.
- the 2-dimensional ultrasound images may be one of B-mode images, Doppler images and color-mode images.
- the serial number may be set in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130 forms a 3-dimensional ultrasound image based on the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130 selects a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images and individually renders the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- the rendered 2-dimensional ultrasound images are sequentially buffered and then superposed, thereby forming the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130 may provide a transparent 3-dimensional ultrasound image obtained by an appropriate transparency treatment for showing a volume of interest (VOI) in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- VOI volume of interest
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image or the transparent 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130 is transmitted to the display unit and then displayed on a screen of the display unit 140.
- the marker setting unit 150 sets a plurality of markers on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the screen of the display unit 140.
- the markers may represent a rotation axis of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, a direction along which the 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed, and the like.
- the markers may be set by using control keys provided on a control panel (not shown) of the ultrasound diagnostic device.
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying the ultrasound image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- the 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 120 forms a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images in real time based on the ultrasound echo signals, which are reflected from a predetermined region of a target object as shown in Fig. 3 at step S210.
- Serial numbers P1, P2, .... may be assigned to each 2-dimensional ultrasound image.
- the serial numbers assigned to the 2-dimensional ultrasound images may be set in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit 130 selects a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having consecutive serial numbers among the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images at step S220.
- the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images are individually rendered at step S230. Then, the rendered 2-dimensional ultrasound images are stored at step S240. Thereafter, the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed to thereby form and display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image may be displayed together with a flow direction marker indicating a position of a preset 2-dimensional ultrasound image at step S250.
- Fig. 5 schematically shows a 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on a screen.
- the flow direction marker 510 may be set to indicate a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number.
- a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number is removed from the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images at step S260. Then, a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a serial number adjacent to the last serial number of the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images is selected at step S270. The 2-dimensional ultrasound image selected at step S270 is rendered and stored at step S280.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- the 2-dimensional ultrasound image having the foremost serial number Pi is removed and the 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a serial number P n+i adjacent to the last serial number of the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images is superposed.
- Steps S240 to S280 are repeatedly performed for the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images formed in the 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit, thereby forming and displaying 3-dimensional ultrasound sound images in real time.
- markers may be set together with the flow direction marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on a screen of the display unit 140.
- the markers may be used to indicate a viewing angle of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, a position for selecting an arbitrary frame from the frames consisting of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and a cross-sectional view of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- An inverse mode may be applied to the 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed according to the embodiment of the present invention to make the walls of blood vessels or a heart invisible in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. This is so that a change in the amount of blood in the blood vessel or the heart according to a time change can be easily observed.
- Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a flow direction marker 710 and a selection marker 720 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
- the flow direction marker 710 indicating a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number and the selection marker 720 indicating an arbitrary 2-dimensional ultrasound image are set on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- a direction, along which the 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed, may be identified through the flow direction marker 710. If the 2-dimensional ultrasound image having the foremost serial number is removed from the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, then the flow direction marker 710 automatically indicates a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a next serial number.
- the selection marker 720 may be replaced with the flow direction marker 710.
- the marker setting unit 150 sets the flow direction marker 710 displayed on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image as a selection marker 720. If the user inputs a moving instruction of the selection marker 720, then the marker setting unit 150 moves the position of the selection marker 720 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in response to the moving instruction.
- the screen of the display unit 140 is divided into a first region 810 and a second region 820, as shown in Fig. 8. The 3-dimensional ultrasound image is displayed on the first region 810 and a 2-dimensional ultrasound image position at the moved selection marker 720 is displayed on the second region 820. Further, an image direction marker 730 indicating a direction of a target object in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image may be displayed.
- Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a rotation marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
- a time axis may be used as a rotation marker T.
- the rotation axis T is used to rotate the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, thereby displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in various directions.
- a time guide line indication for a moving period of the target object such as a heart may be provided on the screen. It is preferable that the time guide line is displayed in parallel with an array direction of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting various cutting markers for showing cross-sectional views of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. If the user inputs a cutting marker setting instruction, the marker setting unit 160 sets the cutting marker on the 2-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the second region 820 so that the 2-dimensional ultrasound image is divided into at least two regions. Thereafter, if the user selects one of the regions by using an indicator (not shown), a cross-sectional plane image corresponding to the selected region is displayed on the screen. As shown in Fig. 10, the cutting marker may include a line cutting marker 1010, a cure cutting marker 1020, a free line cutting marker 1030 and the like.
- Fig. 11 shows an example of indicating a line cutting marker 1110 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional plane obtained by cutting the 3-dimensional ultrasound image along the line cutting marker 1110.
- the 3-dimensional ultrasound image is formed by superposing the 2-dimensional ultrasound images in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This is so that the 3-dimensional ultrasound image can be provided without using an expensive 3-dimensional probe. Also, as the 3-dimensional ultrasound image is formed by individually rendering the 2-dimensional ultrasound images, a time for forming the 3-dimensional ultrasound image can be reduced, thereby providing the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in real time.
- a method for displaying an ultrasound image comprises: a) forming and storing a plurality of sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object, each of said sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number; b) selecting N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having consecutive serial numbers; c) superposing the N number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image; d) forming a flow direction marker indicating a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images; e) displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image together with the flow direction marker on a screen; f) removing the first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images; g) selecting a (N+1) th 2-dimensional ultrasound image and superposing the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound image to the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images; and h) repeating the steps c) to h) as many as a predetermined number.
- An apparatus of displaying an ultrasound image comprises: a probe for transmitting ultrasound signals into a target object and receiving ultrasound echo signals; a 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for forming a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image signals, each of the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number; a 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for selecting consecutive N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images and superposing the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images, thereby forming a 3-dimensional ultrasound image; a marker setting unit for setting at least one marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image; and a displaying unit for displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and the marker.
- any reference in this specification to "one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc. means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
- the appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority from
Korean Patent Application 10-2005-0117909 filed on December 6, 2005 - The present invention generally relates to ultrasound image processing, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed based on 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- An ultrasound diagnostic system has become an important and popular diagnostic tool since it has a wide range of applications. Specifically, due to its non-invasive and non-destructive nature, the ultrasound diagnostic system has been extensively used in the medical profession. Modern high-performance ultrasound diagnostic systems and techniques are commonly used to produce two or three-dimensional diagnostic images of internal features of an object (e.g., human organs).
- The ultrasound diagnostic system generally uses a wide bandwidth transducer to transmit and receive ultrasound signals. The ultrasound diagnostic system forms images of human internal tissues by electrically exciting an acoustic transducer element or an array of acoustic transducer elements to generate ultrasound signals that travel into the body. The ultrasound signals produce ultrasound echo signals since they are reflected from body tissues, which appear as discontinuities to the propagating ultrasound signals. Various ultrasound echo signals return to the transducer element and are converted into electrical signals, which are amplified and processed to produce ultrasound data for an image of the tissues. The ultrasound diagnostic system is very important in the medical field since it provides physicians with real-time and high-resolution images of human internal features without the need for invasive observation techniques such as surgery.
- Generally, the ultrasound diagnostic system obtains raw 3D data (e.g., data on a coordinate system (x, y, z)) through a 3D probe regardless of acquisition time by stacking frames over one another at a uniform time interval to form consecutive frames. It then processes the consecutive frames using a 3D rendering technique, thereby producing 3D static images. By using the static 3D images for ultrasound diagnostic purposes, one may easily and accurately observe, diagnose and treat the internal state of a human body without performing any complicated procedures associated with invasive operations. Thus, the static 3D images are widely used. However, the static 3D images are not useful in observing a moving target object in real time, such as a fetus in the uterus.
- In order to overcome this shortcoming, a live 3D imaging method and apparatus for providing a live 3D moving image (rather than static 3D images) have been developed. However, a 3-dimensional probe for forming a live 3D ultrasound image is disadvantageous since it is very complex and expensive.
- Accordingly, it is highly desirable to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image without using the 3-dimensional probe.
- Arrangements and embodiments may be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an ultrasound diagnostic device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying an ultrasound image in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed by superposing the predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a flow direction marker and a selection marker on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image and a 2-dimensional ultrasound image selected by a selection marker;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of indicating a rotation axis and a time guide line on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image;
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of various cutting markers set on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image;
- FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a cutting marker set on a 3-dimensional ultrasound image; and
- FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional plane formed along a cutting marker.
- A detailed description may be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. One of ordinary skill in the art may realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention may readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an ultrasound diagnostic device constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound
diagnostic device 100 includes aprobe 110, a 2-dimensional ultrasoundimage forming unit 120, a 3-dimensional ultrasoundimage forming unit 130, adisplay unit 140 and amarker setting unit 150. Theprobe 110 transmits ultrasound signals to a target object and receives ultrasound echo signals. Theprobe 110 may be any probe capable of acquiring a 2-dimensional ultrasound image. - The 2-dimensional ultrasound
image forming unit 120 forms a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having serial numbers based on the ultrasound echo signals. The 2-dimensional ultrasound images may be one of B-mode images, Doppler images and color-mode images. The serial number may be set in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images. - The 3-dimensional ultrasound
image forming unit 130 forms a 3-dimensional ultrasound image based on the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images. The 3-dimensional ultrasoundimage forming unit 130 selects a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images and individually renders the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images. The rendered 2-dimensional ultrasound images are sequentially buffered and then superposed, thereby forming the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. - The 3-dimensional ultrasound
image forming unit 130 may provide a transparent 3-dimensional ultrasound image obtained by an appropriate transparency treatment for showing a volume of interest (VOI) in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. The 3-dimensional ultrasound image or the transparent 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed in the 3-dimensional ultrasoundimage forming unit 130 is transmitted to the display unit and then displayed on a screen of thedisplay unit 140. - The
marker setting unit 150 sets a plurality of markers on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the screen of thedisplay unit 140. The markers may represent a rotation axis of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, a direction along which the 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed, and the like. The markers may be set by using control keys provided on a control panel (not shown) of the ultrasound diagnostic device. - Hereinafter, a method for displaying an ultrasound image will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 6. Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying the ultrasound image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- Referring to Fig. 2, the 2-dimensional ultrasound
image forming unit 120 forms a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images in real time based on the ultrasound echo signals, which are reflected from a predetermined region of a target object as shown in Fig. 3 at step S210. Serial numbers P1, P2, .... may be assigned to each 2-dimensional ultrasound image. The serial numbers assigned to the 2-dimensional ultrasound images may be set in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images. The 3-dimensional ultrasoundimage forming unit 130 selects a predetermined number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having consecutive serial numbers among the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images at step S220. - The selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images are individually rendered at step S230. Then, the rendered 2-dimensional ultrasound images are stored at step S240. Thereafter, the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed to thereby form and display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image. The 3-dimensional ultrasound image may be displayed together with a flow direction marker indicating a position of a preset 2-dimensional ultrasound image at step S250. Fig. 5 schematically shows a 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on a screen. The
flow direction marker 510 may be set to indicate a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number. - Subsequently, a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number is removed from the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images at step S260. Then, a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a serial number adjacent to the last serial number of the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images is selected at step S270. The 2-dimensional ultrasound image selected at step S270 is rendered and stored at step S280.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images. The 2-dimensional ultrasound image having the foremost serial number Pi is removed and the 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a serial number Pn+i adjacent to the last serial number of the stored 2-dimensional ultrasound images is superposed. Steps S240 to S280 are repeatedly performed for the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images formed in the 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit, thereby forming and displaying 3-dimensional ultrasound sound images in real time.
- Various types of markers may be set together with the flow direction marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on a screen of the
display unit 140. The markers may be used to indicate a viewing angle of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, a position for selecting an arbitrary frame from the frames consisting of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and a cross-sectional view of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. - An inverse mode may be applied to the 3-dimensional ultrasound image formed according to the embodiment of the present invention to make the walls of blood vessels or a heart invisible in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. This is so that a change in the amount of blood in the blood vessel or the heart according to a time change can be easily observed.
- Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a
flow direction marker 710 and aselection marker 720 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, theflow direction marker 710 indicating a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a foremost serial number and theselection marker 720 indicating an arbitrary 2-dimensional ultrasound image are set on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. A direction, along which the 2-dimensional ultrasound images are superposed, may be identified through theflow direction marker 710. If the 2-dimensional ultrasound image having the foremost serial number is removed from the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, then theflow direction marker 710 automatically indicates a 2-dimensional ultrasound image having a next serial number. - The
selection marker 720 may be replaced with theflow direction marker 710. For example, if a user inputs a setup instruction of the selection marker, then themarker setting unit 150 sets theflow direction marker 710 displayed on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image as aselection marker 720. If the user inputs a moving instruction of theselection marker 720, then themarker setting unit 150 moves the position of theselection marker 720 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in response to the moving instruction. Further, the screen of thedisplay unit 140 is divided into afirst region 810 and asecond region 820, as shown in Fig. 8. The 3-dimensional ultrasound image is displayed on thefirst region 810 and a 2-dimensional ultrasound image position at the movedselection marker 720 is displayed on thesecond region 820. Further, animage direction marker 730 indicating a direction of a target object in the 3-dimensional ultrasound image may be displayed. - Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of setting a rotation marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. A time axis may be used as a rotation marker T. The rotation axis T is used to rotate the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, thereby displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in various directions. Also, if the rotation axis corresponds to the time axis, then a time guide line indication for a moving period of the target object such as a heart may be provided on the screen. It is preferable that the time guide line is displayed in parallel with an array direction of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting various cutting markers for showing cross-sectional views of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. If the user inputs a cutting marker setting instruction, the marker setting unit 160 sets the cutting marker on the 2-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the
second region 820 so that the 2-dimensional ultrasound image is divided into at least two regions. Thereafter, if the user selects one of the regions by using an indicator (not shown), a cross-sectional plane image corresponding to the selected region is displayed on the screen. As shown in Fig. 10, the cutting marker may include aline cutting marker 1010, acure cutting marker 1020, a freeline cutting marker 1030 and the like. - Fig. 11 shows an example of indicating a
line cutting marker 1110 on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image. Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional plane obtained by cutting the 3-dimensional ultrasound image along theline cutting marker 1110. - As mentioned above, the 3-dimensional ultrasound image is formed by superposing the 2-dimensional ultrasound images in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This is so that the 3-dimensional ultrasound image can be provided without using an expensive 3-dimensional probe. Also, as the 3-dimensional ultrasound image is formed by individually rendering the 2-dimensional ultrasound images, a time for forming the 3-dimensional ultrasound image can be reduced, thereby providing the 3-dimensional ultrasound image in real time.
- A method for displaying an ultrasound image, comprises: a) forming and storing a plurality of sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object, each of said sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number; b) selecting N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having consecutive serial numbers; c) superposing the N number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image; d) forming a flow direction marker indicating a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images; e) displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image together with the flow direction marker on a screen; f) removing the first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images; g) selecting a (N+1)th 2-dimensional ultrasound image and superposing the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound image to the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images; and h) repeating the steps c) to h) as many as a predetermined number.
- An apparatus of displaying an ultrasound image, comprises: a probe for transmitting ultrasound signals into a target object and receiving ultrasound echo signals; a 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for forming a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image signals, each of the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number; a 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for selecting consecutive N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images and superposing the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images, thereby forming a 3-dimensional ultrasound image; a marker setting unit for setting at least one marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image; and a displaying unit for displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and the marker.
- Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
- Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (14)
- A method for displaying an ultrasound image, comprising:a) forming and storing a plurality of sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object, each of said sequential 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number;b) selecting N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images having consecutive serial numbers;c) superposing the N number of 2-dimensional ultrasound images to form a 3-dimensional ultrasound image;d) forming a flow direction marker indicating a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images;e) displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image together with the flow direction marker on a screen;f) removing the first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images;g) selecting a (N+1)th 2-dimensional ultrasound image and superposing the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound image to the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images; andh) repeating the steps c) to h) as many as a predetermined number.
- The method of Claim 1, wherein the step c) includes individually rendering the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- The method of Claim 2, wherein the 2-dimensional ultrasound image selected at step g) is rendered and then superposed.
- The method of Claim 1, after forming the flow direction marker at step d), further comprising.d11) receiving a moving instruction from a user;d12) moving the flow direction marker in response to the moving instruction; andd13) displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image on a first region of the screen and a 2-dimensional ultrasound image positioned at the moved flow direction marker on a second region of the screen.
- The method of Claim 1, wherein the serial numbers are determined in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- The method of Claim 5, wherein the flow direction marker is set to indicate a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image among the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- The method of Claim 6, wherein a time guide line parallel to a superposing direction of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images is displayed together with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
- The method of Claim 1, wherein the 3-dimensional ultrasound image is inversed and the inversed 3-dimensional ultrasound image is displayed.
- The method of Claim 1, after forming the 3-dimensional ultrasound image at step d), further comprising:d21) receiving a cutting marker setting instruction from a user;d22) setting at least one cutting marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, thereby dividing the 3-dimensional ultrasound image into a plurality of regions:d23) selecting one of regions; andd24) displaying the selected region.
- An apparatus of displaying an ultrasound image, comprising:a probe for transmitting ultrasound signals into a target object and receiving ultrasound echo signals;a 2-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for forming a plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image signals, each of the plurality of 2-dimensional ultrasound images being assigned a serial number;a 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit for selecting consecutive N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images and superposing the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images, thereby forming a 3-dimensional ultrasound image;a marker setting unit for setting at least one marker on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image; anda displaying unit for displaying the 3-dimensional ultrasound image and the marker.
- The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein the 3-dimensional ultrasound image forming unit removes a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image from the N numbers of 2-dimensional ultrasound images, selects a (N+1)th 2-dimensional ultrasound image, and forms the 3-dimensional ultrasound image by superposing the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images to the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- The apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the selected 2-dimensional ultrasound images are individually rendered.
- The apparatus of Claim 11, wherein the serial numbers are determined in an order of acquisition time of the 2-dimensional ultrasound images.
- The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein the marker includes a flow direction marker indicating a first 2-dimensional ultrasound image among the superposed 2-dimensional ultrasound images and a cutting marker indicating a cutting position on the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.
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KR1020050117909A KR100905244B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2005-12-06 | Apparatus and method for displaying an ultrasound image |
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EP1795129A2 true EP1795129A2 (en) | 2007-06-13 |
EP1795129A3 EP1795129A3 (en) | 2008-06-18 |
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EP (1) | EP1795129B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5055986B2 (en) |
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DE (1) | DE602006015761D1 (en) |
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EP1990974A3 (en) | 2007-05-02 | 2010-03-24 | Murata Machinery, Ltd. | Relay server and relay communication system |
KR20110059920A (en) * | 2009-11-30 | 2011-06-08 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | Ultrasound system and method for providing change trend image |
KR101182934B1 (en) | 2009-12-11 | 2012-09-13 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | Ultrasound system and method for providing doppler sound |
KR101501518B1 (en) * | 2012-06-11 | 2015-03-11 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | The method and apparatus for displaying a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image |
KR101493956B1 (en) * | 2013-08-23 | 2015-02-16 | 한국해양과학기술원 | Method and apparatus for 3d model reconstruction using multiple 2d acoustic images |
KR20150078845A (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-07-08 | 삼성전자주식회사 | User interface system and method for enabling mark-based interraction to images |
GB201402643D0 (en) * | 2014-02-14 | 2014-04-02 | Univ Southampton | A method of mapping images of human disease |
KR102356719B1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2022-01-27 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | ULTRASOUND IMAGE APPARATUS AND operating method for the same |
CN110811687B (en) * | 2015-06-05 | 2022-04-22 | 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 | Ultrasonic fluid imaging method and ultrasonic fluid imaging system |
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EP0881506A2 (en) | 1997-05-29 | 1998-12-02 | Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. | Three dimensional M-mode ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system |
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JP3263131B2 (en) * | 1992-07-08 | 2002-03-04 | 株式会社東芝 | Ultrasound diagnostic equipment |
JPH11206760A (en) * | 1998-01-28 | 1999-08-03 | Ge Yokogawa Medical Systems Ltd | Method and device for ultrasonic imaging |
US6602194B2 (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2003-08-05 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Dual beamformer ultrasound system for 2D and 3D imaging |
JP4138445B2 (en) * | 2002-10-28 | 2008-08-27 | アロカ株式会社 | Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment |
US20050273009A1 (en) * | 2004-06-02 | 2005-12-08 | Harald Deischinger | Method and apparatus for co-display of inverse mode ultrasound images and histogram information |
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2005
- 2005-12-06 KR KR1020050117909A patent/KR100905244B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2006
- 2006-12-05 US US11/566,851 patent/US20070167763A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-12-05 EP EP06025081A patent/EP1795129B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-12-05 DE DE602006015761T patent/DE602006015761D1/en active Active
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US5515856A (en) | 1994-08-30 | 1996-05-14 | Vingmed Sound A/S | Method for generating anatomical M-mode displays |
EP0881506A2 (en) | 1997-05-29 | 1998-12-02 | Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. | Three dimensional M-mode ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system |
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KR100905244B1 (en) | 2009-06-30 |
JP2007152119A (en) | 2007-06-21 |
KR20070059260A (en) | 2007-06-12 |
EP1795129B1 (en) | 2010-07-28 |
DE602006015761D1 (en) | 2010-09-09 |
JP5055986B2 (en) | 2012-10-24 |
EP1795129A3 (en) | 2008-06-18 |
US20070167763A1 (en) | 2007-07-19 |
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